Using Memory Games to Aid Memory Skills

Children learn a variety of different skills as they develop and one of these areas is in the form of memory skills. As a parent, there are plenty of ways in which you can help encourage an interest in memory skills and help aid your child’s overall memory abilities. Here are some ideas to get you started.

To find games and activities specifically suited to your child's age and developmental stage, you can use our free Developmental Activity Finder.

The development of memory skills is an important element of a child’s growth and development. Some degree of memory is present from both, albeit only on a very short-term basis, but as babies and children grow older, they should be able to remember more and more things and for longer periods.

Memory skills can be developed and enhanced by parents in a variety of ways, including through memory games. Memory games are fun for parents to play with children and are a good way of making learning fun – children are unlikely to realise there’s an educational element hidden in there.

There are immediate benefits to be had for children, as the games can begin to improve their memory abilities. If repeated and played regularly, the games can really build up both their short and long term memories. Having memory skills is an important skill to have throughout life, but for children, it will give them a great start to their formal education and life at school.

Simple Memory Item Tray Game

A simple memory game that you can play with your child uses familiar objects from the home. Start by picking six to eight objects and lay them on a tray. Get your child to look at the tray and the different objects that you’ve laid out. For younger children, you might like to discuss each item, so your child knows what it is and what it is used for.

After a set period of time (you could use a timer if you wish), cover the tray with a cloth and, without your child seeing, remove one or more of the items.

Remove the cloth and ask your child to tell you which items are now missing from the tray.

As a variation on this game, and where older children are involved, you could ask your child to remember which items were on the tray and the order in which they were placed. Then move the items around, with the aim being for your child to re-create the correct layout. To help with this, and to ease any quibbles, you could also photograph the original layout for evidence.

Developmental Activity Finder

Enter your child's age and interests and get a personalised list of fun activities that support their development. From sensory play to problem solving, all tailored to their stage.

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Memory Card Game

Packs of children’s cards can be used to play simple memory games and these can easily be adapted to suit the age of ability of your child.

For a simple game to start with, use two sets of cards and sort out a set of 20 cards, with 10 cards that match each other. Mix the 20 cards up and place them face down on the table. Get your child to lift a pair of cards at a time, remembering what each card was. Each time they get a pair of cards, or successfully remember where a matching pair was located, the cards should remain face up on the table.

Once your child has mastered the 20 card game, you can progress to adding more and more cards into the mix. This game can be played with a normal set of playing cards and is often called Pelmanism.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Developmental Activity Finder lets you enter your child's age and interests and get a personalised list of fun activities that support their development. From sensory play to problem solving, all tailored to their stage. Try it now →